Locked Azure Subscription Invoices

A Locked invoice that cannot be paid in the portal must be handled by Azure Billing Support; create a billing request directly and bypass the automated recommendations by selecting Return to support request.

Create the billing request

Azure subscription-management and billing support is available without purchasing a technical support plan.^1^

1. Open the Azure Help + Support page directly:
   https://portal.azure.com/#view/Microsoft_Azure_Support/HelpAndSupportBlade/~/overview
2. Select Create a support request.
3. Enter Billing, select Billing, and then select Next.
4. Select the affected subscription and select Next.
5. When suggested solutions appear, do not select them. Select Create a support request.
6. Enter a summary such as:
   • Summary: Unable to pay two locked invoices
   • Problem type: Billing or Payment
   • Include both invoice numbers and state that the invoices display Locked
7. Select Next.
8. If Azure displays recommended solutions again, select Return to support request, followed by Next. This is the documented way to continue past the recommendation screen.^1^
9. Complete Additional details, including the affected subscription ID, preferred contact method, and contact information.
10. On Review + create, select Create.

This sequence has specifically been used for locked invoices that display “You can’t pay this invoice in the portal. Please contact Azure Support for assistance.”^2^

If the portal still prevents ticket creation

Check access for the account currently signed in. Creating a subscription support request requires one of these roles at the subscription scope:

• Owner
• Contributor
• Support Request Contributor
• A custom role containing Microsoft.Support/*

For requests involving account-specific payment or billing changes, Azure may also require the account billing administrator.^1^

If the signed-in account does not have one of those roles, ask the subscription Owner or tenant administrator to either:

• Create the billing request, or
• Assign Support Request Contributor at the subscription scope.

If both locked invoices belong to different subscriptions, ensure the requester has access to each subscription and list both subscription IDs and invoice numbers in the request.

Check whether self-service payment is available

Although a locked invoice normally requires support, check whether Azure presents a payment action:

1. Azure portal → Cost Management + Billing.
2. Select Invoices.
3. Look for either:
   • Pay now, or
   • Settle balance.

For an eligible Microsoft Customer Agreement invoice, select Pay now → Select a payment method → Pay now. The invoice status should change to Paid within 24 hours.^3^

For a pay-as-you-go account, Settle balance must be completed by the account administrator. If multiple subscriptions using the same failed card are past due, Azure requires the entire outstanding balance to be paid together.^4^

Do not retry portal payment if the invoice explicitly remains Locked or says to contact Azure Support; include a screenshot of that message in the billing request instead.

After payment

Subscription reactivation can take up to 24 hours after the balance is paid. Most resources resume automatically, although resources should be checked and restarted if necessary. If the subscription becomes active but resource management remains unavailable for more than 30 minutes, contact Azure Billing Support through the existing request.^5^

References

1. Create an Azure support request
2. how to pay for invoice and it says locked - Microsoft Q&A
3. Pay your Microsoft Customer Agreement or Microsoft Online Subscription Program bill
4. Resolve a past-due balance for your pay-as-you-go Azure subscription
5. Reactivate a disabled Azure subscription